<p>Many south Louisiana gardeners may be familiar with the old mimosa trees that </p><p>were planted in the landscapes many years ago. </p><p>You still have a few around the area but many have succumbed due to a disease </p><p>called Mimosa Wilt.</p><p>A local gardener recently inquired about the new Summer Chocolate Variety.</p><p>This is a patented mimosa that has dark-burgundy foliage and produces rich-pink </p><p>summer flowers. It grows to about 20 feet high and 15 feet wide and has an arching </p><p>habit. It grows in sun to part shade, is drought tolerant and is hardy in zones six to </p><p>10. It’s suitable as a landscape, patio or accent tree.</p><p>Brief recognition factors of old mimosas include: </p><p>n Tolerates heat and cold temperatures</p><p>n Flowers in late spring</p><p>n Fine-textured foliage</p><p>n Hummingbird food source</p><p>Problems with old mimosas include: </p><p>n Relatively short lived; 25-35 years</p><p>n Wilt disease is a major problem in Gulf Coast area</p><p>Brief recognition factors of summer chocolate mimosas include:</p><p>n Tolerates heat and cold temperatures</p><p>n Flowers in late spring and summer</p><p>n Fine-textured dark burgundy foliage</p><p>n Candy-pink flower bloom in summer months</p><p>n Hummingbird food source</p><p>Problems with summer chocolate mimosas include:</p><p>n Relatively new tree in state. May be susceptible to wilt</p><p>n Very expensive and hard to find</p><p>The summer chocolate mimosa is a very pretty accent-type tree that is beginning to </p><p>be grown throughout the state.</p><h3>FALL VEGETABLE PLANTING</h3>
<p>August is a very hot time for vegetables and gardeners usually have increased </p><p>insect and disease pressure at this time, but the following is a list of the fall </p><p>planting dates for vegetables.</p><p>This information is in our Louisiana Vegetable Planting Guide – publication 1980. </p><p>These dates are for south Louisiana planting times.</p><p>(Crop: fall planting date: days to harvest)</p><p>Beans, snap, bush: Aug. 10-Sept. 10: 48-55</p><p>Beans, snap, pole: Aug. 10-31: 60-66</p><p>Beans, lima, bush: Aug. 1-Sept. 1: 60-67</p><p>Beans, lima, pole: Aug. 1-Sept. 1: 77-90</p><p>Beets: Aug. 15-Oct. 1: 55-60</p><p>Broccoli (seed): July 15-Sept. 1: 70-90 days from transplants</p><p>Brussels sprouts (seed): July 15-Sept. 1: 90 days from transplants</p><p>Cabbage: July 1-Sept. 15: 65-75 days from transplants</p><p>Carrots: Sept. 1-Nov. 1: 70-75</p><p>Cauliflower: July 1-Sept. 1: 55-65 days from transplants</p><p>Celery (seed): Oct. 1-Nov. 1: 210</p><p>Chard, swiss: Aug. 15-Oct. 30: 45-55</p><p>Chinese cabbage: July 15-Oct. 1: 60-80 days from transplants</p><p>Collards: July 15-Oct. 1: 75</p><p>Cucumbers: Until Sept. 1: 50-65</p><p>Garlic: Oct. 1-Nov. 30: 210</p><p>Kohlrabi: Aug. 15-Oct. 30: 55-75</p><p>Lettuce: Aug. 15-Sept. 30: 45-80</p><p>Mustard greens: Aug. 1-March 15: 35-50</p><p>Onion, leek (seed): Sept. 20-Oct. 15: 135-210</p><p>Peas, english: Sept. 1-15: 60-70</p><p>Peas, southern: Until Aug. 10: 70-80</p><p>Pepper, bell: Until Aug. 15: 70-80 days from transplants</p><p>Potatoes, Irish: Aug. 15-Sept. 10: 90-120</p><p>Pumpkin: Until Sept. 15: 90-120</p><p>Radishes: Sept. 1-Nov. 1: 22-28</p><p>Shallots: July-February: 50</p><p>Spinach: Oct. 1-Feb. 28: 35-45</p><p>Tomatoes (plant): Until Aug. 15: 60-75 days from transplants</p><p>Turnips: Aug. 1-Feb. 28: 40-50</p><p>This information is in the LSU AgCenter’s Vegetable Planting Guide. </p><p>To receive this guide, visit your local LSU AgCenter office and ask for publication number 1980 or visit the agency’s Web site, www.lsuagcenter.com.</p><h3>Q AND A</h3>
<p>I hear the term Spinosad for control on insects. What is it?</p><p>Answer: Spinosad is an insecticide used to control a variety of insect pests, </p><p>including fruit flies, caterpillars, leafminers, thrips and certain beetles. Spinosad is </p><p>the common name of a mixture of spinosyn A and spinosyn D, two molecules </p><p>derived naturally from a bacteria through fermentation. Spinosad is the active </p><p>ingredient in several pesticides that are registered with the U.S. EPA; Dow Agros </p><p>Conserve, Spin Tor, Success and Tracer.</p><p>Barton Joffrion is an area agent with the LSU AgCenter. He can be reached at 873-</p><p>6495, bjoffrion@agcenter.lsu.edu or visit www.lsuagcenter.com.</p>